Abstract: The invention relates to the selective targeting of specific ?2 adrenergic receptor subtypes for facilitating and also restoring standing and walking in a subject affected by spinal cord disorders, in particular spinal cord injury. In particular, the improvement of locomotion by targeting specific receptor subtypes can be achieved by stimulation of the ?2c receptor subtype using an ?2c specific agonist or by blocking the ?2a receptor subtype using ?2a antagonists. A combination of an ?2c agonist and an ?2a antagonist is also provided for a synergistic effect. Alternatively, a large ?2 agonist can be used in combination with an ?2a antagonist to achieve specific stimulation of the ?2c receptor. Pharmaceutical compositions, kit-of-parts and therapeutic systems comprising said agonists/antagonists as active agents are objects of the present invention.